Page 32 of Reflections of Silence

“Try it.” She smiled mysteriously.

I bit into the puff. A savory explosion of flavor burst across my tongue, the soft center warring with the crisp outer shell. “That’s delicious. What is it?”

“Fried oyster.” Minette continued to pile my plate high until I held up my hands to stop her.

“Who do I have to thank for this magnificent feast?”

“Desiree,” Minette called. A rotund, tanned woman scooted across the rug to join us. “Ma— Gisella,” she caught herself and sent a rueful grin in my direction, “wanted to compliment you on your food.”

Desiree’s face lit up. “You enjoyed it?”

A lilt lifted her words in a sing-song tone.

I nodded, grinning. “You’re responsible for breakfast this morning, too?”

Desiree nodded, stuffing a beignet into her mouth.

Enjoying yourself?

I smiled outwardly, hiding my surprise at Sebastian’s easy tone behind the facade of drinking.

Trying to fit in with the normal crowd?

I blinked, his anger rolling over me. I’d assumed wrong. “Not now,” I muttered under my breath.

“Beg your pardon?” Minette asked, her brow furrowing as she stared at me.

I placed the cup back onto the blanket. “Excuse me.” I rose, straightening my skirts, and paced through the low, hip-high hedges, moving away from the small crowd gathered at the garden entrance.

I’m glad you made time for me.

His mocking voice roiled around my head in a snarl I could envision written across his handsome face all too well.

“What’s got you riled?” I asked softly, curling loose strands of hair around my fingers to cover my mouth, though I already knew what had upset him.

My staff don’t appear to be doing their job.

“But they are doing a job. And they’re doing it wonderfully.”

What job is that?

His anger rocked me again.

I stopped walking. “They’re giving me a reason not to leave. They’re giving me a home, Sebastian. Like you have given to them.”

Silence saturated our strained conversation, leaving a deep void between us. I swallowed, continuing to wind my way through the hedges which grew taller the deeper I ventured into the garden.

“Sebastian?” I traced the line of shadows with my feet where they began to merge in the late afternoon. “I don’t want to leave.”

Nothing.

I sighed, walking around a corner, and found myself in the middle of a wide, open space, paved with colored tiles—a child’s mosaic. Circular paths branched away from it in all directions. I turned to retrace my steps but found myself with too many options. The paved tiles gave no indication of which branch I’d come from.

I stared between them, bearing down on a small wave of panic. Which path took me back to the gathering? I peered back across the labyrinth of hedges, but I couldn't even see theugly stone gargoyle. In my conversation with Sebastian, I had wandered far distant from the group, almost to the edge of the forest.

The shadow of the castle stood close to my slippered feet. I edged back as it crept closer, like long fingers reaching for me.

I’m glad you want to stay.

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